These draperies are informal in treatment and are usually made of light
or medium weight fabrics. Most any type of top finish, shirring or
pleats is suitable. A plain valance or cornice board may be used. For a
pleated heading, allow 5½″ at the top for heading and 5½″ at the bottom
for a 2½″ double hem. Cut strips of crinoline or lawn for stiffening 4″
wide and 3″ shorter than the width of each drapery length. Pin strip to
underside of heading ½″ from the top, starting 1½″ from the edge. Stitch
along lower edge of strip, then turn top edge of fabric over stiffening
½″ and stitch. Turn top hem to underside along edge of stiffening. Press
and pin in place.
Side hems may be put in by hand, machine stitched or blind stitched. For
hand stitching or straight machine stitching, turn edge ½″ to underside;
then turn 1″ for hem. Pin hem in place for stitching.
To blind-stitch hem, using the Zigzag Sewing Machine or the Zigzag
Attachment, pin hem in place; then run a row of hand basting ¼″ from
turned edge. With wrong side of drapery up, turn hem under to right
side, exposing the ¼″ edge. Turn 2½″ double hem at the bottom and finish
by hand or machine stitch.
[Illustration: Stitch stiffening to top of drapery.]
STIFFENING
1½″ BOTH SIDES FOR HEMS
UNDERSIDE OF MATERIAL
[Illustration: Finish side hem by hand, using slip-stitch.]
[Illustration: Side hem basted for blind-stitch hemming.]
[Illustration: Blind-stitch hemming, using the Zigzag Sewing
Machine.]
[Illustration: Double hems with corners cut out to relieve bulk.]
[Illustration: Finishing double side hems and bottom hem by hand.]
If 1″ double side hems are used, cut stiffening 4″ shorter than the
width of each drapery length. When using a heading with woven-in pockets
for pleater pins, (available by the yard) allow 2″ at the top for
heading and seam. Pin right side of heading to right side of drapery
⁵/₁₆″ below edge across the top. Consider the ″return″ of the drapery at
each side, and position woven-in pockets so that the pleat comes at the
turn of the rod. Stitch, taking ½″ seam; then turn heading to underside.
Press and stitch ¼″ from the lower edge of the heading.
[Illustration: Type of hook used for forming pleats and hanging
draperies.]
[Illustration: RIGHT SIDE OF MATERIAL
Place pleat tape at top, ⁵/₁₆″ from edge. Stitch ½″ from edge.]
1½″ BOTH SIDES FOR HEM
WRONG SIDE OF PLEAT TAPE
[Illustration: Tape turned to underside. Stitch tape to drapery at
lower edge. Machine stitch 1″ side hems.]